This is 4 days self-drive gorilla trekking safari will take you trekking mountain gorillas twice in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park in the northern part of the country. Volcanoes National Park is mostly known for being one of the 3 destinations in the whole world where a tourist can visit the rare and endangered mountain gorillas in the natural habitat. The other destinations from where you can peacefully visit these amazing animals include; Bwindi Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mother Gorilla in Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda encompasses 5 of the 8 volcanoes found in the Virunga mountains and these volcanoes include; Bisoke, Muhabura, Karisimbi, Gahinga, and Sabinyo. The Park is bordered by Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the main tourist attraction in the park are the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
Day 1: Arrival, Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
On the first day when you arrive at Kigali International Airport, a driver from 4×4 Rwanda Ltd will welcome you to this amazing country and later he will help you carry your bags to the car and then you will have to inspect the car well before you given the car rental agreement which you have to sign after reading and understanding it. Then later after the paperwork is done the driver will give you the Gorilla trekking permits and then you will be free to start your self-drive safari by driving towards the northern part of the country Volcanoes National Park the home of the rare and endangered mountain gorillas and also hosts over 178 different species of birds, with at least 13 species and 16 subspecies endemic to the Virunga and the Rwenzori Mountains. You will also enjoy viewing the remarkable scenery of the Virunga Mountains en route. There are several safari lodges where you can spend overnight like; Kinigi Guest House, Hotel La Palme, or Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Baby Gorilla in Volcanoes National Park
On this day, you will have an early morning breakfast at the lodge/camp and then you will have to report to Volcanoes National Park headquarters with your packed lunch, bottled drinking water, and trekking gear to be briefed by the ranger guide about the dos and don’ts while with the gorillas in the jungle. After a short briefing, you will enter the jungle to track the gorillas. The time taken while tracking gorillas in the forest is unpredictable, but it may take 2 – 8 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas in their natural habitat in search of food and shelter. You will be allowed a maximum of one hour in the presence of mountain gorillas. Take photographs and enjoys the baby gorillas as they play on branches of trees. After this amazing experience, you will return to the lodge/camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Second Gorilla Trek in Volcanoes National Park
On this morning, you will have breakfast at the lodge and then prepare to transfer to the park headquarters for the second gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park. You will follow the same procedures as on day two, but this time you will visit a different gorilla family, or choose to visit a different family. All meals and overnight will be at your lodge as on day 1, and day meaning on this same lodge you will book for 3 nights.
Silverback Mountain Gorilla in Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda
In Case you want to change and not for the second gorilla trekking, there are several other tourist activities you can enjoy in Volcanoes National park, like the Golden monkey tracking, a visit to
Dian Fossey Grave, natural guided walk, bird watching, and many others.
Day 4: Transfer to Kigali, City Tour, and Departure
On the last day, you will wake up a bit late for breakfast, and then prepare to leave the park at around 11 AM, you will your 2 hours drive from Volcanoes National Park to Kigali and have a city tour of Gisozi genocide museum, local art and craft shops in Kigali and later you will do a last-minute shopping before you transfer to the airport where you will meet the agent from 4×4 Rwanda Ltd and pick the car to return to the office and then you also continue to go to meet your departure flight back home
End of 4-day self-drive gorilla safari Rwanda